The Rwanda Rugby Federation recently held a crucial meeting with directors and representatives from 10 secondary schools selected to participate in the Get Into Rugby 2.0 Project, a nationwide initiative supported by World Rugby.
The meeting focused on planning the implementation of the project, which aims to introduce and expand rugby across the country, particularly in schools.
The selected schools include Lycée de Kigali, Kayenzi TSS, GS Shyogwe, Nyanza Technical School, Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare (GSOB), Center of Champions TVET, ES Musanze, TTC Kirambo, ES Bugarama, and TTC Mururu. These institutions will serve as key players in promoting rugby, with the project officially set to begin on October 5, 2024, and span 10 weeks.
Father Muhoza Dieudonné, representing GSOB, expressed his optimism for the project. “At our school, we typically play 7s rugby, meaning many students don’t get the opportunity to showcase their talent. This project will help address that challenge by expanding participation,” he said.
Rwanda Rugby Federation President Kamanda Tharcisse echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of getting more students involved. “The meeting demonstrated that we are ready to implement this project. We encourage schools to motivate students to participate in large numbers, as the project will help produce more rugby players.”
The Get Into Rugby 2.0 Project is designed to introduce 15-a-side rugby to students and will feature two coaches per school each weekend, who will lead organized training sessions. These coaches include a mix of seasoned professionals and senior players, with the added goal of promoting the coaching pathway for the sport in Rwanda.
The initiative aims not only to nurture rugby talent but also to instill core values such as fitness, teamwork, and enjoyment among the students. The program is expected to significantly strengthen the teams already competing in the national rugby championship.
Young coach David Rizinde, who will be part of the project, shared his vision: “I expect this initiative to not only foster rugby development but also create job opportunities for coaches and drive social impact by instilling the sport’s values in students.”
Both the schools and the Rwanda Rugby Federation have agreed that interactive games will be held throughout the 10 weeks to monitor the project’s progress and ensure its success.
